On-the-ground work for an Economic Development Study and Market Strategy for Sidney and Cheyenne County will begin August 22nd. The project is funded through the City of Sidney’s Economic Development Program through the State of Nebraska’s Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, the LB840 program. An approved LB840 program gives a municipality many economic development options to recruit new businesses and retain and expand business presently in the community. Sidney Economic Development Director Tina Hochwender states the study and strategy will provide an evaluation of existing conditions and strengths with recommendations to determine “best fit” industry, location in the community and the potential for long term, quality employment and site selection for new projects. Following a competitive bidding process, the Sidney City Council, with recommendation from the Sidney Economic Development Citizen’s Advisory Review Committee, selected Foremost Quality Logistics, Inc. (FQL) to undertake the project.
The project team includes economic development consultants Tim Feemster, with Dallas-based FQL, in partnership with Dean Barber, of Dallas-based Barber Business Advisors, and multi-modal logistics consultant John Hoover of Atlanta-based Modalgistics, a Norfolk Southern Company.
Market analysis, strategic planning, site selection analysis, target industry and company identification, freight flow analysis and community assessments will be conducted. Beginning August 22nd through August 24th, the project team will be in Sidney conducting individual stakeholder interviews to understand insights on the past and current economic development efforts, as well as the goals for future development in the area, and the thoughts and perceptions related to the area as a business location. Tim Feemster with FQL states the combination of the qualitative and quantitative research will result in prospective lists of industries and companies that are appropriate business attraction targets as well as more focused approach at achieving effective means at business retention and expansion. The project will provide direction to the City of Sidney and Cheyenne County so as to better compete for and win corporate investment.
The project will extend over several months. A public meeting to present the results will be held in November. Please contact Tina Hochwender at the City, (308-254-8455 or development@cityofsidney.org) with questions.